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How To Hide SMS On Android to Keep Your Messages Private

As apps like Whatsapp have taken smartphone messaging to the next level, privacy issues still remain on the Android Operating System. Privacy is probably one of the biggest concerns for most Android users and as Android devices are getting better at storing data, you need to make sure that your data is safe. While online instant messaging is quite popular on Android, a lot of people still use SMS as a way of communication and want to learn how to hide SMS on Android.

If you’re looking for a way to hide your text messages from the default messaging app on your Android device, continue reading to find out how you can protect your text messages. Android phones do feature lock screens in order to lock everything on your phone. However, it might be annoying to enter the pattern or password every time you want to use your phone. If you’re fine with people accessing other data on your phone other than SMS messages, then the method mentioned below is the perfect option.

Time: 2 Minutes

Method 1: Message Locker (SMS Lock)

A definite advantage of this app is that it can be applied to not only your default text messages, but also other email and messaging applications. It ensures your messages remain safe by locking and requiring a password for anyone trying to access your SMS, messaging, and chat apps on your phone.

Download Message Locker

Download and install the Message Locker app from the Google Play store. You can get the app through the Google Play button below. You will need to accept terms and conditions.

Message Locker (SMS Lock)

Open App

Open the app.

Create PIN

You’ll now need to set up a new pattern or PIN to hide your SMS messages. Only one PIN/pattern is necessary to unlock the apps of your choice.

Confirm PIN

Enter the same PIN a second time to verify it’s the one you want. Tap the right arrow key at the bottom.

Set Up Recovery

Select from the registered email list, or type in the email address where you want to receive correspondence (in case you forget your PIN). Press DONE in the upper right-hand corner.

Create Pattern (Optional)

A message will appear giving you the option to create a pattern to use instead of a PIN.

Choose Apps

The app automatically detects messaging apps present on your device and displays a list. Select the apps you want to lock.

Other Options

By pressing the menu bar in the upper left-hand corner (three vertical lines) you can lock photos, clear junk, upgrade, or learn more about the app.

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Method 2: Private Message Box (Hide SMS)

Private Message Box is another app that can keep your private messages private. If you want to hide all of the incoming messages from a specific contact, this app can help you out with that as well. While you are at it, hide the app icon as well. You can opt to enjoy free messaging between your fellow app users.

Download Private Message Box

Download and install the Private Message Box app from the Google Play store. You can get the app through the Google Play button below. Acceptance of terms and conditions is mandatory.

Private Message Box (Hide SMS)

Launch App

Open the app. As soon as you finish reading the informational screens, tap Next. When you are completely done, press Finish.

Create PIN

You’ll now need to set up a new PIN to hide your SMS messages. Tap the checkmark or Submit when finished.

Hide App (Optional)

Having a private messaging app icon on your phone can be a dead give away that you are hiding something. To avoid this, select the Enable the Hide Icon Mode. If you don’t care, select Enable it Later, Just Start.

Import Database (Optional)

As a precaution against app failure and to protect your messages, consider importing the database from a daily backup. Choose Import to do so or Continue to skip this step.

Verify Number (Optional)

You don’t have to pay for messages from and to other Private Message Box users. To enjoy this feature you will need to Verify Number. Not interested, at least not now? Tap Not Now. It will show you to enable this option later.

Set PSB as Default (Optional)

The popup explains the app’s limitations. Press OK. This is optional, but if you don’t tap Yes your text messages will still be shown in the stock texting application.

Add Contacts

To begin chatting, add some contacts. Select the Contacts tab.

Other Options

By pressing the menu bar in the upper left-hand corner (three vertical lines) you can add contacts, view contacts, make payments, adjust settings, give feedback, share the app, get help, like on Facebook, follow on Twitter, and go on an app tour.

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Method 3: Vault-Hide SMS, Pics and Videos

This app can do it all—it not only hides your texts, but also your contacts, pictures, and videos if you please. All of these things can be hidden and accessed via the password of your choosing. You can even set up private browsing through this app. Recover a lost password through email.

Download Vault-Hide SMS, Pics & Videos

Download and install the Vault-Hide app from the Google Play store. You can get the app through the Google Play button below. You accept terms and condition by clicking the Start button.

Vault-Hide SMS, Pics & Videos

Launch App

Open the app.

Create PIN

You’ll now need to set up a new PIN to hide your SMS messages. Enter three to fifteen digits and tap OK. Type the PIN again to confirm.

Review What’s New (Optional)

This contains any new features and also displays a log of fixes for current and previous versions. Hit Next when you are done.

Upgrade to Premium (Optional)

Cloud storage is much greater in the premium version, and there’s only an option to enter Stealth Mode (hide the app icon) and set up a decoy if you purchase the app. Regardless, you can still hide your pics, texts, and videos either way.

Hide Photos (Optional)

Tap the Photos option. You will be prompted to import photos. You will then need to choose which photos you want to hide.

Set Security Email (Optional)

It’s possible you could forget your password and need a reminder. Specify the email where the app should send your recovery password. You can also opt out by choosing No Thanks.

Hide Videos (Optional)

Tap the Videos option. You will be prompted to import videos. You will then need to choose which videos you want to hide.

Hide Texts

This is what you are here for, right? Contacts get lumped into this section as well. You can either import messages to make them private or enable the Messenger plug-in so that private messages don’t show up in your default SMS app or notification bar. To add contacts, select the Contacts tab and start importing.

Step 10: Lock Apps (Optional)

Prevent anyone being nosy on your phone from having the right to explore your apps., or choose certain ones.

Set Safe Browsing (Optional)

Add any bookmarks for websites you frequent that you would like to remain hidden.

Use Cloud Backup (Optional)

Sign up to backup your private data to encrypted storage.

And More

By pressing the More option in the upper right-hand corner (three vertical dots) you can add view and add methods to handle break-in attempts, settings, Facebook messages, get help, and give feedback. Some of these features are only available or are more limited if you don’t upgrade to the premium app.

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Conclusion

SMS messages are one of the most used features on Android devices and even though online instant messaging is on the rise, people still use SMS messages when they don’t have internet connections. If you don’t have a lock screen set on your phone because you want others to access it, then it might be a good idea to hide your messages. This way, people will be able to do everything on your phone except for reading your personal messages, if you want them to.

Whether you want to hide your messages from a specific person or you just want to keep your SMS messages private, you can follow the steps mentioned above to learn how to hide SMS on Android. Make sure that you follow the instructions properly and feel free to shoot any questions below.

You might also be interested in using a customizable SMS app instead of the default SMS app. You can check out our list of the 10 best SMS apps for Android. If you’ve previously deleted important messages from your phone in order to avoid others seeing them, then you can read the guide on how to retrieve deleted messages.

Reader Interactions

Comments (18)

What if you wanted this hidden from the play store? Is there any way to get an sms hiding app via apk or zip that does NOT show up there? If someone were to look at my installed apps and see “SMS Lock” as one of them, it defeats the purpose of having it. Cerberus app has a zip version of it’s app that can do this.

This was by and far my favorite and most effective app. Unfortunately, the Dev seems to have orphaned his creation, and it is no longer able to keep the message from appearing in the regular text message box.

I’d like to have two message streams, one that is public, that anyone in the office can see, and a second that is private that no one can see. Every sms/mms app I see wants to be the default (only) app where all messages go. Or, if I have to have only one messaging app, is there a way to hide individual sms/mms between my wife and close friends/colleagues?

Hi,
Trevor am currently using go sms pro on my Android and it’s been working great; however for some reason for the past two days when I receive a message in my private box it pops up like my regular messages. and the funny thing is its disable, so that wouldn’t happen. Any advice?

there has been some odd things going on with the last few updates. I was getting a notification all of the time saying it was running. now it’s gone after the last update. see if you are on the most recent update, if not, updating might help. You can also try to clear the cache and data for the app. Clearing the data is like a master reset for the app. It will erase all of the stored data and settings for the app.

Using vault and deleted the contact person from the stock messaging box and imported all texts to vault and added the contact there, now when they text me the texts show up in vault as well as the stick messaging box so I’m getting double messages from this person, how do I solve this issue?